A Voice of Inspiration

Rickie Byars is one of the most acclaimed and beloved singer-songwriters there is in the genre of inspirational/New Thought music. Through her three decade career as both a solo artist, Music & Arts Director and as Founder /Director of the world-renowned Agape International Choir, Byars’ deeply soulful and heart-felt songs of spiritual renewal, uplift and empower and have struck a powerful chord with audiences around the globe. She has built an impressive international following as well. Indeed, the vibrations of “realness” in her music are so strong that they resonate with everyone from residents of L.A.’s SkidRow to South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, all of whom she has had the honor of performing for, the latter on five different occasions. Byars’ charismatic joy and authenticity on stage ensure that she is in high demand to speak and appear in concert at festivals and conferences. But she has amassed such an impressive catalog of compositions — writing and co-writing over 200 original songs and chants — that even when she’s not physically on hand to present her work her message of transcendent love is still being delivered by the many individual singers and choirs that regularly perform her material at New Thought churches and spiritual gatherings across the country every Sunday.

Rickie Byars dedicates most of her time, energy and talents in empowering others to develop their unique gifts and talents so that they may contribute them in service to humanity. Recognizing that freedom must exist on both the individual and collective levels, Byars is fully engaged in a number of endeavors that address both.

The Artist

Several of her songs, “I Release,” “We Let it Be,”  “The Spirit of God is Upon Me” and “Wholly Holy Way,” are considered modern classics of inspirational/New Thought music.Byars has released nine CDs as a solo artist: “I Found a Deeper Love” (1993); “In the Land of I Am” (2000), “Soul Fulfilling” (2002),“From Within” (2003), “Pray For Me” (2004), “Supreme Inspiration” (2007), “The Love Project” (2009), “Let My Soul Surrender”, which was accompanied by a book of autobiographical stories written by Byars (2011), and “My Oh My It’s Time To Fly” (2018). Now as she discovers the world again, on her own terms as a solo artist, her writing has increased with new songs that are lighting up her live/virtual KUUMBA/B-hood Sunday Devotionals; and at Rickie’s favorite devotional spot - The Hot N Cool Cafe in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. 

For even more information on Rickie Byars' inspirational work in the world go to her website: